Electronics, Hong Kong

Unlike other commercial stores, this one gives big discounts on electrical goods and lots and lots of freebies (mini carpet, key rings, spare battery&earphones for mobiles etc)

I bought my Sharp phone there and I've saved around 20-30%!

Friendly and helpful staff. If you be extra nice and charming, they may give u huge discounts!

What to buy: Top range of mobile phones, PDA, MP3, Plasma, LCD, D.camara etc

What to pay: Best to shop around first ;)

A couple of years ago I bought a portable DVD and some other devices for my laptop from Star House. There are some consumer electronic shops in the Star House. It is located the next Star Ferry in Tsim Sha Shui. There may be bigger and maybe better places, but this was inexpensive so you should check this place.

People should be aware that the no fakes sign, or a tourism approved sticker in the window does not mean it is a reputable shop. Mostly the electronic shops in Nathan rd and surrounding side streets are operated by Triads. A little commonsense will alert the would be buyer to the following things. The name above the shop is usually SONY NIKON Canon etc there is no company name. The goods are all unpriced and usually not very well displayed. The shop is always overstaffed by somewhat rough looking individuals very often smoking and eating in the shop. This is not because they are so busy, this is to intimidate and prevent people from causing trouble later. The people in the shop are very rough speaking and often quite rude. the goods are always more expensive than anywhere else. They still operate the switch tactic which means you choose something, decide to buy it, they then make an excuse to go out back, or get it from another store for you, and while they are missing they replace your chosen item with another one, usually faulty or sometimes just a copy. Once you have paid you are usually on your own. the police may come if you call them but seldom will you get a result. The gangsters parading in shops will intimidate you and even threaten you and this will definetly ruin your vacation. How do I know all these things, because I lived in Hong Kong for 20 years and watched time after time gullible tourists with pocketfulls of cash get screwed and then call the police and nothing ever happens. Avoid thesed shops and save yourself the hassle and your cash. The places in the Golden Arcade in Sham Shui Po are generally better, not always, but usually. I have been shopping there for years without incident buying everything from phones to computers, software etc etc

When buying computers in Hong Kong there is only really one place that has it all.
The Golden Compute Centre in Sham Shui Po.
Use exit D2 of the Sham Shui Po MTR station and walk forward about 50m. The 1st floor is the main area and there is a narrow staircase up to this level. The ground floor and basesment have software and consumable shops but you need to go upstairs for the hardware.

There are number of other computer centres in Hong Kong such as those in Wan Chai or Star house or you have the Fortress and PCCW stores however when you ask for anything specific they will always refer you to Sham Shui Po.

What to pay: Less than normal.

Like your electronics and gadgets? Then this is the place to come. The Electronics Market is really a street called Sai Yeung Choy Street in Mongkok which runs parallel to the Ladies Market street on Tung Choy Street but instead of being a series of market stalls, it's full of conventional shops. These shops sell everything such as cameras, mobile phones, mp3 players, PC's, lap-tops, TV's...you name it, they sell it. Yes, there are a whole load of other shops dotted around the city but this is really the place to come is you're into this sort of thing.

Any small shops.

What to buy: Being careful when purchasing cheap electronics
i'd recommend checking the price of ur product at every store and bargain for the lowest price you think ur product is worth. like if u're looking for a camcorder, and they say their asking price is $4000 HKD, bargain for $3000 or even lower. they set the price high because they know u're going to bargain with them. travellers who dont bargain for the lowest price will just get ripped off. DO ur research on the product u want to buy. some of these hong kong sales are not honest.
the street they sell electronics in Sham Shui Po is Apliu St. if u're planning to go to there to shop, do NOT go to Golden Choice Co. OR Autumn Harvest Co. OR AV Express. these 3 stores are under the same company and they're not honest at all. if u tell them u're not satisfy with ur purchased product, they give u horrible attitude and just say to u "too bad". and if u want to exchange for another product, u have to paid an additional $400 HKD for their service. so u've gotta watch out.

What to pay: Always do some research online on the product you want to buy. Hong Kong sales know that travellers will bargain, so they will set a high asking price. Remember to bargain, if they say your 'willing to pay' price is too low, then simply walk away, they will FOR SURE lower their asking price.

If want to buy sports shoes, clothes etc, can go to "Sportswear Street" on south part of Fa Yuen Street Mong Kok, where you can find trendy sportswear and sports equipment. Opening hours around 12pm - 11pm. Nearest MTR exit E2.

For the latest audio-visual, electronic and telecommunications products, head for Sai Yeung Choi Street South. Opening hours around 10am - mid night. Nearest MTR exit E2.

What to buy: Along the Sportswear Street, there are many shops where you can buy different kinds and brands sports shoes, clothes or sports equipments etc. And the price is reasonable.

And there is many electronic shops along Sai Yeung Choi Street South. You can find new models of electric appliances for cameras, cell phones, video cameras etc.

Cameras tend to be more expensive in HK than in shops back home, esp when considering the warrentee. However, there are several stores selling used lens and camera bodies that you just won't find in most cities. In the USA, you have to go to NYC to find large stocks of used Nikons and Canons. HK has sevral shops that have a huge inventory of most Japanese SLR cameras, going back to the early 1960s. One is next to Ka Chun Dispensary, near Kowloon Park, in TST.
You won't find much in German product however. I cannot locate used Leica, Contax, or Rolli equipment.
The shop mentioned above currently has a 600/5.6 Canon for about $45,000HK. Lots of old Nikon F2, F3, and F4 bodies. Canon bodies and lens. Worth looking into if you are in the market for used equipment.

What to pay: The pricing of used equipment, esp. Nikon and Canon, is close to what you pay in NYC. The advantage is, you ar here and can look at it, and if you bring your old SLR with you, try the product out before you purchase it. A big advantage over ordering online or by phone for something you can't see.